3.05.2014

The divorce between the Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard a few years ago wasn’t pretty before he went to Los Angeles. There were issues with coaching, management and teammates, but the fact still remains that for the short time this organization has been in existence, Howard is undoubtedly one of their greatest players.

This is why, as part of the team’s 25th-anniversary celebration this season, the team will go out of their way to honor their former center, despite what some of the fans may think.

As a part of their ongoing 25th-anniversary celebration, the Magic will air a video tribute to Howard on Amway Center’s scoreboard during a first-quarter timeout.

The Magic have shown similar video tributes this season for former players and coaches who were visiting with their current teams. In most cases, Orlando’s typically disengaged fans have greeted the returnees with little more than polite applause.

Whether or not you think it’s too soon to honor him or not, it’s going to happen. Given the recent reactions–mainly boos, of course–when he returned to Orlando, it might’ve been a good idea to save this for a later date.

But, it’s happening now anyway and the reactions from the live fans in attendance should be nothing short of priceless.